§33-20E-4. Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

(a) "Association" means the joint underwriting association created by this article.

(b) "Board" means the board of directors established pursuant to section six of this article.

(c) "Commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner of West Virginia.

(d) "Health care provider" means a person, partnership, corporation, facility or institution licensed by, or certified in, this state or another state, to provide health care or professional health care services, including, but not limited to, a physician, osteopathic physician, hospital, dentist, registered or licensed practical nurse, optometrist, podiatrist, chiropractor, physical therapist, or psychologist.

(e) "Medical professional liability insurance", commonly known as "medical malpractice insurance", means insurance coverage for any claim for damage or loss against a health care provider arising out of the death or injury of any person proximately caused by negligence in the rendering, or the failure to render, professional services by a health care provider.

(f) "Member insurer" means every insurer authorized to write and engaged in writing, within this state, casualty insurance, as defined in section ten, article one of this chapter.

(g) "Net direct written premiums" means, for purposes of this article, direct gross premiums written in this state on casualty insurance policies, less return premiums thereon, but does not include premiums on contracts between insurers or reinsurers.

(h) "State board" means the state Board of Risk and Insurance Management.